THE FEMALE ATHLETE
PROJECT
WINTER COHORT 2027
Endurance + Nutrition Coaching + BackCountry HUt Trip
A remote education-based program combining individualized nutrition and endurance-based coaching alongside a like-minded group of women.
NEW for the 2027 Winter Cohort: The Female Athlete Project will run as a 3 month program that culminates in a cohort-based Backcountry Ski Skills Course with Beartooth Powder Guides in Cooke City, Montana.
Applications close 11/6.
INTRODUCING THE FEMALE ATHLETE PROJECT
WHAT IS IT?
A 3-month remote nutrition + coaching program geared toward female skiers and riders.
Are you working toward a spring ski objective?
Wondering if you’re under-fueling?
New to backcountry skiing and looking for education?
Searching for guidance on body image in sport while still wanting to train?
Wanting to dial in how to fuel during ski tours or on hut trips?
THIS IS FOR YOU.
WHO IS THIS FOR?
This is designed to be an empowering, educational program for all the wild women out there, regardless of age or ability level.
If you want to learn more about your unique nutrition needs, improve how you train for skiing and riding, improve your backcountry skills, find purpose in the process, and are comfortable participating in a female-centered space then this program is for you.
THIS PROGRAM ISN’T A GOOD FIT FOR:
Those unable to commit to a 3-month program and a group backcountry ski hut trip, consistent weekly communication, or those who want a fad diet meal plan.
WHY THIS PROGRAM?
THE PURPOSE IS THREE FOLD:
1
To empower female athletes of all levels & abilities by providing them with the knowledge & skills needed in training & sports nutrition so they can functionally & joyously partake in their sport(s) for life.
2
To create community, so that the wild joy & magic that comes from playing outside can be shared &, therefore, amplified by the power that comes from a group of women joining together.
3
To provide a learning environment for hands on ski skill development with experts in the backcountry. And ski powder together!
Meet
Your
Coach
Colleen Shields
COACH, REGISTERED DIETITIAN, & CREATOR OF THE FEMALE ATHLETE PROJECT
Hi, I’m Colleen!
I want to use my role as a coach and dietitian to create a space that empowers female athletes of all levels and abilities with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to play, train, fuel, and nourish not only for sport, but for life.
As a lover of long days spent outside, I understand the unique fueling demands of endurance and mountain sports. I want to help you fuel for performance without taking the joy out of eating, building a positive relationship with food at the same time. One of the best ways to learn is by doing. The goal is to simplify the overwhelming amount of info out there while giving you a place to practice and experience it all.
My coaching philosophy aims to balance the edge of curiosity and pushing one’s body (+ mind) toward the unknown of its capabilities with lighthearted fun and enjoyment.
I’m known for positive encouragement, all-caps texts on race day, and prescribing a hefty dose of Wild Crumb on literally any training day.
“I firmly believe that if you intentionally choose to consistently move your body – regardless of duration or speed – you are an athlete. Everyone deserves to fuel their body for their lifestyle and have access to learning how to feed and take care of themselves, not just the elite.”
WHAT’S INCLUDED?
3 Month Coaching + Nutrition Counseling includes:
Individualized Nutrition Counseling
Twice a month sessions including an initial 90-minute assessment and five, 45-minute follow ups (remote)
One-On-One Endurance Coaching:
3 months of individualized, endurance-based online coaching with Colleen through Training Peaks to get you ready for our group ski trip at the end of the program
Bi-Weekly Group Calls (via Zoom)
This will allow time for group education, questions, and a chance to interact with one another prior to the group’s hut trip!
Full access to The Mountain Project during the cohort
Including classes, open gym or TMP Train Anywhere for online strength if not based in Bozeman
An online community forum via Slack
A handful of take-home resources for your own use and reference
Backcountry Hut Trip + Skills Course includes:
3 days and 2 nights at the Woody Creek Cabin, in Cooke City
Includes hut accommodation and all meals during the course
Transportation to/from Cooke City is not included
The skills course is led by Beartooth Powder Guides and will include things like:
Creating and navigating ski routes
Managing terrain
Analyzing weather and snowpack
Tips on how to be a more efficient backcountry skier
How to plan for an emergency
And MORE!
This skills course is designed to fill the gaps between a Level I and Level II avalanche course (but with way more time designated to powder skiing!)
We have two guides for this course which allows us to split into groups as needed to accommodate a wide range of skill levels, from beginner to advanced
PROGRAM RUNS JANUARY 4th – MARCH 28th, 2027
Woody Creek HUt Trip Dates: March 19-21st 2027
Note: To participate in the winter cohort, you need to be able to attend the Backcountry Hut Trip March 19-21st.
Cost: $2960
A $500 deposit is due on November 18th to secure your spot.
Final payment due 1/4/26; or a three month payment plan is available.
Applications close 11/6.
What level do I need to ski or ride at to participate in this program?
You do not need prior avalanche education to participate in this course. However, we ask that you have the ability to:
Ski the equivalent of a blue run in variable conditions (moguls, sun crust, in trees, changing snow, etc.) AKA: not just a groomer
Be able to ski 2000ft in a day (we’ll help you get you there with coaching!)
I’M NOT SURE I’M AN ATHLETE.
(Yes. You are.)
In a mountain-town environment where success and athleticism are often defined by those that go the furthest, hardest and fastest, imposter syndrome, self-doubt and identity struggles can run rampant.
We work very hard to dismantle the idea that in order to be considered an athlete you have to go the furthest or fastest or that your only identity is defined by what you do athletically.
This is your first winter transitioning from the resort to the backcountry? HOLY SHIT THAT’S INCREDIBLE. You’re going on a multi-day ski traverse? HOLY SHIT THAT’S INCREDIBLE. You’ve never invested in yourself to learn how to fuel or participate in your sport with longevity in mind and you want to now? HOLY SHIT THAT’S INCREDIBLE.
All we ask is that you show up for yourself, put in the time and energy, have FUN, and be willing to explore the boundary of your comfort zone to see what your body is capable of doing.
KIND WORDS FROM PAST ATHLETES
“My initial goal signing up for this was to lose weight - because that’s what we’ve been fed as the thing to do forever. Throwing out the scale at the beginning of this was a huge change. And I think that removing the number was a good thing. The information on fueling what your body actually needs beyond the number was a whole shift in thinking and one I didn’t really expect”
-Summer ‘26 Cohort participant
“[Colleen] is obviously passionate about this line of work and it shows in the enthusiasm and genuine care that [she] brought to this program. . . [Colleen] is so much more than a coach - [she] is a mentor and a guide”.
-Spring 24’ Cohort Participant
“I have already highly recommended this program to a few of my friends. I tell them how much I learned about nutrition, rest days, strength and just general care about my body. [Colleen] was always supportive and encouraging that I listen to my body and honor hunger cues and when it was asking for rest. I think it is SO refreshing in a community where, before, I felt guilty taking a rest day”.
-Summer ‘26 Cohort participant
FAQs
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We ask that you have the ability to:
Ski the equivalent of a blue run in variable conditions (moguls, sun crust, in trees, changing snow)
Be able to ski 2000ft in a day
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This course is open to new and experienced skiers and riders.
You do not need prior avalanche education to take this course. Our guides at Beartooth Powder Guides are INCREDIBLE and have the ability to split us up into two groups based on ability level. This allows us to have a wide range of new to experienced gals come together, learn from one another, and still get exactly what they want and need out of the program.
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With coaching, you get access to Training Peaks (basically an online training calendar platform where your coach (me) will put in detail what to do every day as it relates to your goal. General example: (M) rest, (T) strength @ TMP, (W) run, (TH) nordic ski and strength, (F) rest, (Sat and Sun) longer ski tours. On average, coaching clients engage in 4-6 days per week of movement, but of course, this is highly individualized to you.
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Within this process, a close connection is developed between coach and athlete. We look at you and your goal not just in terms of the physical, but holistically, taking into account everything from job and life stress, to environment, relationships, and support. As a coach, I’m assessing your training plan weekly and fine-tuning as needed to support you best. This requires open and consistent communication that flows both ways.
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Between the bi-monthly group calls and bi-monthly 1:1 nutrition sessions, you get weekly communication! You also get access to a community forum and email communication for all of the questions that occur in between.
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First off, if you have a complicated relationship with food, know you are not alone. I hope to be able to work with you to heal your relationship. However, while nutrition counseling is completely one-on-one, there may be some food talk among group members. If you’re concerned, please reach out to me directly at colleen@mountainprojectmt.com so we can make sure that you’re in a good space to comfortably and safely participate.
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During the initial assessment, we’ll go through a full dietary, social, physical and behavioral history, as well as any relevant clinical data (i.e. blood work, nutrient deficiencies, state of health, etc.). This is highly individualized and looks at YOU as the whole person. Additionally, we’ll look at your training load and schedule to help assess baseline dietary needs in order to support your active lifestyle. During our follow-ups, I’ll check in on any goals we’re working on, navigate barriers, cheer you on, and provide social and emotional support.
*All sessions are done virtually through a secure telehealth portal.
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This will be an online platform for members (and myself) to share pics from weekend romps, fueling ideas and homemade snacks, set up adventure dates, cheer each other on, share in the fun, and ask general questions that the whole group could benefit from. It is meant to be a way for us all to stay connected and provide support! (It should go without saying, but negative comments and judgment are super uncool here).
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With these applications, I’m hoping to create a group of women with varied backgrounds and experience levels so that our community can grow in new ways and we can all learn from one another.
A lot of time goes into the one-on-one relationship built between coach/dietitian and athlete/human. While I was overjoyed to have such a large amount of interest last time, applications far exceeded the number of spots available; I can only work with a limited number of individuals.
First-come-first-serve can also become inequitable in terms of those who don’t have the financial means to immediately put down a large chunk of money.
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We kindly ask that you think fully about joining and commit for the duration of the program. We do not offer refunds.
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Yes! The current plan is to have two Female Athlete Project cohorts per year - a summer trails cohort (April-September) and a winter ski cohort (Jan-March).
Applications close 11/6.
Have more questions? Want to make sure this is a good fit for you?